When you’re pregnant, you expect side-effects like morning sickness and tiredness. But there are plenty of other strange - and downright weird - pregnancy symptoms that you probably aren’t prepared for …

Olympic swimmer Libby Trickett shared one of the more unusual pregnancy symptoms she experienced – crumbling toenails – which, according to experts, is caused by an iron deficiency.

Here are five other bizarre pregnancy side-effects you might experience, and why they happen.

Remember – if you're worried about any of these symptoms, do speak to your midwife or GP.

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1 Your feet get bigger

Wondering why your shoes, that fit perfectly before you got pregnant, are now impossible to get on?

Pregnancy can make your feet bigger. And according to experts, they might not shrink back after you’ve given birth. (So much for those 'investment' Jimmy Choos, sob.)

Why it happens: Doctors at the University of Iowa say this pregnancy side-effect is caused by the arch of your foot flattening out. This is possibly caused by the extra weight of your baby and having looser joints in pregnancy.

Another cause of bigger feet in pregnancy is swelling from extra fluids and blood in your body.

What you can do: While the swelling will disappear after you’ve had your baby, if your arch has flattened, there’snothing you can do to make your feet go back to their pre-pregnancy size. Experts advise avoiding high heels and flat shoes, which can lead to foot problems. A heel of around two inches is ideal.

2 Your voice gets deeper

Convinced your voice sounds different since you got pregnant? You could be right. Actress Kristen Bell, who played Anna in Frozen, revealed she had to re-record scenes for the Disney film after pregnancy meant her voice got deeper.

Why it happens: Experts believe this change in your voice could be caused by levels of oestrogen and progesterone during pregnancy.

Your vocal cords can also swell in pregnancy, changing how you sound when you talk and sing.

What you can do: It’s important not to strain your voice – you’ll get your normal vocal range back after you’ve had your baby.

3 You have nosebleeds

Chances are, you’ve not had a nosebleed since you fell over in the playground when you were little. And now, you can’t leave home without an emergency pack of tissues.

Why it happens: According to NHS Choices, nosebleeds are common in pregnancy and are caused by hormonal changes.

You produce around 40% more blood when you’re pregnant, which can lead to side-effects like nosebleeds – especially if you blow your nose too hard, for example.

What you can do: If you have a nosebleed, sit down, pinch your nose, just above your nostrils and hold for 10 minutes while leaning forward.

For 12 hours after a nosebleed, blow your nose gently, and avoid strenuous activity and even bending down.

4 You have the weirdest pregnancy cravings

Pregnancy cravings can see you wanting to eat anything from pilchards in ice cream (a favourite of one of our Netmums' members) to chalk.

Why it happens: Almost two-thirds of mums have some sort of food craving in pregnancy. Some experts think it could be linked to low iron, zinc or calcium levels.

A study by the University of Connecticut found cravings change during pregnancy, with pregnant women preferring salty and sour foods in the second and third trimesters.

There’s also a medical condition called pica, which can means pregnant women crave inedible things to eat, like paper.

What you can do: If you're worried you may have pica, talk to your GP or midwife.

For all other cravings, if they're fine to eat in pregnancy, then tuck in!